1923-07-23 Benny Leonard w pts 15 Lew Tendler, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NYC, New York, USA - WORLD. Referee: Andy Griffin. Although both men were announced as being inside 135lbs, Leonard weighing 134lbs to Tendler's 133, the weigh-in was a private affair with newspapermen excluded and it was several years later before it transpired that the two men had weighed 137½lbs and 138, respectively. However, with both fighters accepting the situation it was regarded as a title fight, merely proving that Leonard and Tendler, a southpaw, were both having difficulty making the weight in what was to be the champion’s final defence. The fight itself saw Leonard eliminate his greatest rival when he received the unanimous verdict at the end of what had been a thrilling bout despite no knockdowns and no blood. It was only Tendler’s experience and ability to ship punishment that enabled him to get through the last three rounds when he was at the champion’s mercy, especially from the right uppercut, and when the final bell came he was almost out on his feet.

On 7 September, Leonard took on Johnny Mendelsohn at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in an eight-round no-decision fight, which the press saw the champion winning on points. At the 2pm weigh-in, some reports gave Mendelsohn as being 135lbs to Leonard’s 138½, while others reported him weighing 138lbs. Without having access to contracts it is nigh impossible to know the weight the fight was made at and whether there was an associated risk involved.

Before taking on Pal Moran (nd-w pts 10 at the Olympic Arena, Cleveland, Ohio on 11 August 1924) in a catchweight contest in which the latter made 135lbs while he did not, Leonard was looking forward to meeting Mickey Walker on 11 August for the welterweight title. After a cracked thumb forced the Walker fight to be cancelled, Leonard sat out the next few months reflecting on his future. He eventually relinquished his title and announced his retirement on 15 January 1925.

With the division thrown into disarray, the NYSAC decided to sponsor an elimination tournament to determine his successor, asking those who wanted to be considered to apply for entry. Interestingly, the two leading men in The Ring magazine ratings, Sid Terris and Sammy Mandell, were already matched to fight on 6 February at Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC, and after winning on points over 12 rounds the latter claimed the title only to be told that his win would qualify him for the tournament and that alone. Taking that on board, Mandell eventually accepted the NYSAC’s offer on 4 March.

The first-round winners were Goodrich (w pts 12 Wagner at Madison Square Garden on 23 February), O’Brien (w co 6 Chaney at Madison Square Garden on 23 February), Benjamin (w pts 10 Silvers at the Recreation Park, San Francisco, California on 23 February), Jeakle (w pts 12 Lee at the Pioneer AC, Manhattan on 24 February), O’Connell (w pts 10 Dundee at The Casino, Manhattan on 25 February), Valgar (w pts 10 Hart at the Rink AC, Manhattan on 27 February), Seeman (w pts 10 LaFay at the Rink SC on 27 February) and Galiano (w pts 10 DeMarco at the Commonwealth SC, Manhattan on 28 February). All the contests took place in New York apart from Benjamin v Silvers, which was given special dispensation to be contested in California. Some of the committee members wanted the NYSAC to re-consider Wagner, who appeared to be the victim of a poor decision, but were eventually overruled.

The second-round results were Goodrich (w pts 12 Jeakle), Seaman (w pts 15 O’Connell) and Valgar (w pts 12 Galiano), all taking place at Madison Square Garden on 9 March, while both O’Brien (who injured his hands when beating Chaney) and Benjamin (who was outpointed over ten rounds by Ace Hudkins at the Vernon Arena, Los Angeles, California on 8 April) were forced to withdraw. After beating Benjamin, Hudkins, who was not in the competition, put in a title claim, but while the Californian Boxing Commission were still in the process of making a decision on whether to support him or not he was beaten by O’ Brien (l disq 5 at Ascot Park, Los Angeles on 6 June) next time out.

Held on 18 May, the quarter-finals (at Queensboro Stadium, Queens, NYC) saw Goodrich (w disq 6 Mandell), Loayza (w co 7 White), Olano (w rsc 5 Tait) and Valgar (w pts 10 Seeman) qualify. The favourite to win the tournament had been Mandell, but he was unfortunate to be disqualified for landing a blow that strayed low after being way ahead on points. On 15 June, at the same venue, the semi-finals saw Goodrich (w pts 12 Valgar) and Loayza (w co 3 Olano) make the final.

Even though there had been entrants from far and wide, highly-ranked fighters such as Terris, Mike Ballerino, Sid Barbarian, Johnny Dundee, Kansas, Vicentini and Walker were absent for whatever reason. Also, Europe had not been involved, and Mason (after stopping Izzard in the ninth round of a British title fight at the Ice Rink, Holland Park, London on 22 June) put in a claim for the world title on 1 July but failed to gain the necessary support required in Britain to force the issue.

There was also talk of Leonard returning to reclaim his title, but with the former champion staying put the final leg went ahead as planned.

On 5 July, the IBU announced that because the leading European fighters had not been involved in the tournament they would not be recognising the new champion.